Q. We have an 80-year-old Tudor city house. The existing stairs have 5 coats of white paint up to the second floor and grey paint up to the third. We’re thinking of covering the stairs with sisal carpeting. We’ve already removed the paint from the banister and are thinking of staining it. The spindles are white. What will match my red oak floors?
A. Refinishing your staircase is a great way to instantly update your home. Leave the spindles and banister white and strip and stain the stair treads (steps) like your floor or a little darker. Repaint the stair risers (vertical surfaces) white and either paint or stain the handrail even darker than the risers. This will result in a clean, finished staircase.
Since you’ve already stripped the banister though, staining the banister the same as the handrail is one option, but it will make the staircase seem a little darker.
A sisal runner on the stairs is a great alternative to paint. Not only will it enhance the look of the stairs by warming up the staircase visually but it will also provide a non-slip surface on the stairs. Natural sisal will provide a more slip-resistant surface, but either 100 per cent wool or 50/50 wool-synthetic sisal will be much more comfortable on bare feet.
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Once you’ve determined what style you like, then start thinking about colours. Choose three colours for your home and use the 60/30/10 trick: Your base colour covers 60% of a room (the walls), a secondary colour counts for 30% (upholstery or flooring) and a third colour represents 10% (accents like throw cushions). This method helps to create a room that is pleasing to the eye by appearing grounded. Most paint companies offer sample cards showing three or four paint chips that work well together which makes choosing a colour scheme easier than ever. Use your chosen colour combination in varying saturation levels throughout your home and be sure to have a some black in each room, too — it helps anchor a space. Since you are concerned about your home appearing outdated in a few years, avoid bold or trendy colours for walls or furniture and stick to neutrals instead, using colours with a kick for accessories.
Apply one coat of primer before you apply the paint. This will also help the coverage of the paint. You may need two coats of paint after the primer, depending on the current colour of the wood, and make sure to let the first coat dry before applying the next. Light sanding between coats will remove any dust specks that might have stuck to the paint. Let the final coat dry thoroughly before setting anything on the surface.
A. To achieve a more formal appearance in your space, look for drapery with a bit more weight than what you currently have hanging with your sheers. Pleated solid or wide-striped silk in a neutral tone will add elegance to the room and will work nicely with your current wrought iron drapery rods.
Think about adding a Persian rug beneath your dining table and chairs — you’ll want it to be large enough to extend 18” beyond the back of the chairs. Artwork that has a classic look, such as a series of framed black and white photographs or prints in muted colours will also give the room a more formal feeling. Accessories like sterling silver bud vases, a large crystal or clear glass decorative bowl and some antique nickel candelabras will help complete the look.
Bedding with colour and pattern can add lots of visual interest to a bedroom and make it appear much more welcoming. Think about pairing damask patterned bedding in green-blue, topped with deep brown quilted shams and a coverlet. This colour combination will definitely inject your room with a sense of elegant comfort.
